Leon

I am over the moon in every way and really excited about the future. We went through more than I expected and found many good ideas to work with.
It was a shame that I injured myself last Sunday in the morning warm-up on raceday, because it meant that I wasn’t 100% here at these tests. I have had internal and external stitches in my left elbow and also damaged some ankle ligaments, but I don’t really notice any pain when I am on the bike. At the end of the day, I feel a bit sore, but nothing too bad.
I am impressed with the bike and the team and think we have established a good relationship very quickly. Everybody has helped me so much, right from day one. Although Sylvain and I have not had much time to discuss the bike together, I know that we both have said more or less the same things and I am sure that we’ll work very well together.
When I got on the bike for the first time, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was so happy after the first day because I lapped a second quicker than on raceday last weekend. Of course there is a lot more to learn and it is just a case of getting down to it, making improvements and keeping progressing. It’s been really good to have his test, so soon after the season has finished, and get right into it straightaway and now I am already looking forward to the next tests.

Sylvain

The main purpose of these tests has been to understand the Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 K9 bike, get to know the team and also try many different things, including suspensions. We have done a lot of good work during these two days and it’s going to be good now to have a bit of a rest, especially as I was racing here fo three days at the weekend. One thing is for sure, after five days here, I know the track now pretty well! I’m also happy that my leg didn’t play up too much and I have to thank the Clinica Mobile for all the massages and looking after me so well.
This bike is quite different to the Crescent Suzuki I rode in the British Superbike Championship and my first job last Friday was to begin working on this bike and getting comfortable with it. Every time out, my feeling for the bike improves and it’s great that we are going forward all the time. It has been very interesting today and we’ve found out a lot about the bike. There are some good points and there some things we need to improve. I’m really looking forward to the next tests because we have lots of ideas to try out and hopefully we will keep on improving.

Overall best lap times (unofficial)

1. Jonathan Rea (GBR-Honda) 1:41,878
2. Leon Haslam (GBR-Suzuki Alstare) 1:41,980
3. Michel Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati) 1:41,992
4. Cal Crutchlow (GBR-Yamaha) 1:42,115
5. Max Biaggi (ITA-Aprilia) 1:42,717
6. Leon Camier (GBR-Aprilia) 1:42,796
7. James Toseland (GBR), Yamaha, 1:43,147
8. Noriyuki Haga (JPN-Ducati) 1:43,215
9. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA-Suzuki Alstare) 1:43,245
10. Carlos Checa (ESP-Ducati) 1:43,435
11. Max Neukirchner (GER-Honda) 1:43,549